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German exchange operator Deutsche Börse late yesterday reported a fourth quarter loss of €61.2m ($45m) in part because of previously announced charges at its US options business, the International Securities Exchange.

The quarterly loss was overshadowed by Deutsche Börse earlier yesterday that it had agreed to tie up with US exchange NYSE Euronext in a deal that would create the world's largest share and derivatives trading platform.

The fourth quarter loss is wider than the €33m loss reported a year earlier, but narrower than analyst expectations of a €83m loss for the quarter.

Total revenue for the period was €518.4m, up slightly from €505m a year earlier and slightly missing analysts' estimates of €528m.

For the full year, net profit fell 16% to €417.8m.

The Eschborn, Germany-based exchange said its board would propose a €2.10 a share dividend to shareholders for the full year.

Deutsche Börse confirmed it would take a €453.3m charge at ISE for the year, though a tax gain will limit the overall impact on the quarterly loss to around €223.5m.

Deutsche Börse warned in December that full-year earnings would be burdened by the ISE impairment charges.

The ISE has lost market share since the end of 2007, when Deutsche Börse agreed to pay $2.7bn in cash for what was then the second largest US options platform.